Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:36:15 -0800 (PST) From: Daniel Running-water Subject: Captured Heart / Chapter 9 / Interracial and Incest Captured Heart By Daniel Running Water Chapter Nine Previously in chapter eight: "Colonel, I left my plantation this morning as ordered," James said, directing his attention to the colonel. "If someone came and destroyed it, it must surely be the same person that torched my barn earlier in the week," he said gloating at Edwards. "I heard how someone torched your tobacco barns, James. I guess that it could have been the same person that did this." "He knows that it wasn't and he is the one that did it, colonel," Edwards accused. "How do you know it wasn't the same person," the colonel asked, turning his attention to Edwards. "I just know it wasn't that's all," he said. "Well that is not proof enough to arrest him. As far as I see it, it's your word against his." "Then if there is no further need to detain us, we would like to continue on," Hawk said, stepping back into the conversation. "Chief Hawk, I truly wish that what is happening to your people could have been avoided." "Ay-uh, but we are going to a land where my people can ride free and once again hold their heads up with pride," Hawk said. "Godspeed to you and your people," the colonel said, shaking hands with Hawk. Hawk, along with the others turned and rode away, leaving the soldiers and Edwards behind them. "You're not just gonna let Thornton ride away, are ya?" Edwards shouted. "I have no just cause to detain or arrest him," he said, giving the signal with his hand to turn and return to the fort to his men. "Well I as sure have reason," Edwards said and pulled his gun from its holster and aimed it at James' back. Bam! Bam! Now chapter nine: Shane, who had ridden up to James, saw Edwards pull his gun, jumped from his horse, grabbing James from his and the two of them fell to the ground, escaping Edwards' bullets. Furious from having missed James, Edwards took aim at the men that now lay on the ground, but before he could fire, an arrow struck him in the chest, knocking him backwards and off of his horse. The soldiers raised their rifles and aimed them at Seth, but the colonel immediately raised his hand, signaling his men to hold their fire, for he knew that it was out of self defense that Seth had killed Edwards. "Hold you fire men," the colonel ordered and dismounted. "There will be no further blood shed today," he added, slowly shaking his head. "Red Sun could not let the evil man kill his friend," Hawk said, his voice steady as his eyes held those of the colonel. "I agree Chief Hawk and there will be no further trouble, you and your people are free to resume you travels." "Ay-uh, the Choctaw are happy to be leaving the land that has been theirs since time began. But to live with much hatred and prejudice is not living; this is why we go west, colonel." "I'm sorry that your people had to live this way and I pray that you find the freedom that you seek for your people in this new land." The colonel extended his hand out to Hawk; Hawk gave it a hard look but took it with his own. "Goodbye Chief Hawk and Godspeed," the colonel said, turned and mounted his horse. "Barnes, Murphy, see that this body is taken back to town," he ordered and the two men quickly obeyed. "Let us go and look back no longer on this land," Hawk said to Seth as he mounted his horse, waiting for Shane and James to remount theirs before moving on. *** The days turned into weeks and soon into months, but eventually they arrived at the Indian Territory, which today is Oklahoma. The cost to the Choctaw was great, for they lost many of their old and very young to sickness, old age and hunger before they reached their destination. Unfortunately, Hawk lost his uncle and Seth lost his father to disease when they were almost to their destination. But with the new territory came a new start for the proud Choctaw. Shane and James settled outside of the reservation, setting up a ranch where they began raising cattle. Many years have passed and with Hawk's people's village settled along the Red River, life once again was happy. Hawk's son, Strong Bear and his friend White Deer are now seventeen winters old. Both are strong, handsome warriors, with Strong Bear next in line to be chief of the Choctaw. Strong Bear was handsome, muscular and although he had his father's skin and hair coloring, his eyes were that of his mother, blue. He carried himself proudly, strait back, square shouldered and a face that seemed to have been chiseled from granite. For as masculine that Strong Bear was, White Deer was the opposite, slender and almost feminine in his build. But to Strong Bear that didn't matter because White Deer was not only his best friend, but was also his lover. It was summer and the night sky with its full moon and bright stars were so inviting. A soft breeze blew off the water and the sounds of the night's creatures filled the air. Off in the distance, a lone wolf howled at the moon and insects hummed about, filling the night with their sounds. Hand in hand, Strong Bear and White Deer strolled through the forest until they came to a secluded spot along the river. This was their spot and it was far enough from the village that it insured their privacy. White Deer sat between Strong Deer's spread legs, his head and back resting against Strong Bear's hairless, muscled chest. White Deer laid his cheek against Strong Bear's breast as he sat wrapped in his lover's arms, listening to the rapidly pounding beat of Strong Bear's heart, which matched the pounding of his own. "I love you Strong Bear," he whispered as he turned his face up to seek out the eyes of Strong Bear. "Ay-uh my sweet, as much as I love you," Strong Bear whispered in return and lowered his mouth to take captive that of White Deer. The kiss was long and tender, Strong Bear parted White Deer's lips with his tongue, pushing his tongue into White Deer's mouth as their kiss deepened. White Deer gasped when Strong Bear's hand began to seductively move slowly over White Deer's thigh, tracing soft circles on his skin as they moved upward, seeking out the waistband of his loincloth. White Deer's body became inflamed with desire and he gasped as Strong Bear's fingers moved under the waistband. Running his fingers through the softness of the curls that surrounded White Deer's manhood, Strong Bear lowered his mouth to his lover's neck, kissing and nibbling it, causing soft moans from White Deer. So lost in the throws of their passion, White Deer was oblivious to the fact that Strong Bear had laid his body down onto the soft grass, as his mouth kissed and licked its way to the hard nubs rising from his chest. "Aieee my love," White Deer sighed, holding Strong Bear gently as his fingers weaved furiously through Strong Bear's hair, while Strong Bear suckled first one and then other nipple. Soft moans emitted from White Deer as Strong Bear made love to his lover's body with his hands and mouth, seductively kissing, licking and nibbling his way downward, until he was at his destination, White Deer's manhood. As he licked his way down, his hands were busy removing White Deer's loincloth, exposing his readied heat. Strong Bear ran his tongue up the backside of his lover's cock, swirling it around its leaking head, and then slowly engulfing it. He moved slowly up and down White Deer's cock, swirling his tongue each time he came up around the bulbous head. White Deer's head tossed to and fro as a slow ecstasy began to envelope his senses. "Strong Bear," he cooed. Strong Bear inserted his finger deep into White Deer's rosebud, moving, searching, until he found the hard nub which lay within. Gently he began rubbing it, causing White Deer to emit soft, ecstatic moans as his edge grew near. "I'm close my love... oh so close," White Deer groaned as his hips moved franticly up and down, his urgency of release was overpowering him. "I'm going to shoot my seed," he whispered, gasping for breath as Strong Bear's sucks became fast and urgent, as his own need to taste the sweetness of his man became ablaze. "Mmmmm," Strong Bear moaned as soon as White Deer's cock began erupting, spewing his seed into the warmth of Strong Bear's mouth. Furiously, he moved his mouth up and down on the throbbing manhood, savoring each drop before swallowing, all but the last of White Deer's sweet elixir. Weak and spent, White Deer lay there gasping, as his body trembled from the aftershocks of his climax. Spitting the last remnants of White Deer's climax into his hand, Strong Bear rubbed it around the head of his own cock, preparing it to enter his lover's rosebud. Kneeling over White Deer, Strong Bear lowered his mouth to his, kissing his lover heatedly as he spread White Deer's legs with his knee and slid his manhood deeply into his rosebud. Gasping from the invasion, White Deer sighed when his lover's cock became fully seated within his warm, velvet sheath. Wrapping his legs around Strong Bear's waist, White Deer lifted his hips, meeting the slow, rhythmic thrusts of his lover's cock. Bending to take possession of White Deer's sensitive nipple, Strong Bear's thrusts became more urgent as his mouth sucked and nibbled on the tender nub. "Ay-uh my chief, my man, make love to me and give me your seed," White Deer moaned and then pulled Strong Bear's mouth down to a kiss. Feeling his fire spreading frantically through his loins, Strong Bear lifted up on his hands and now with White Deer's legs firmly resting on Strong Bear's shoulders, he thrusted deeper, harder and feverishly into his lover's ass. Feeling so close to climaxing, Strong Bear stopped, took possession of White Deer's mouth and kissed him hard and long before resuming his thrusts. Their bodies moving in sync, Strong Bear felt his edge rapidly approaching and then he fell over it. "Aaaagggggghhh," Strong Bear howled as he thrust his cock deep, stopped, and then blasted several hard shots before again, thrusting fast and deep. White Deer moved upward frantically, meeting each urgent thrust that Strong Bear gave him. His own seed began to rise and he called out in utter abandonment, spewing his seed between them. Laying side by side gasping for normal breathing, White Deer turned onto his side and snuggled against Strong Bear. He slowly drew imaginary circles with his finger around the harden nipples on Strong Bear's chest, and with each circle he moved slowly down, pausing to trace the valleys of his man's muscles along his stomach before coming to rest on Strong Bear's still hardened manhood. Strong Bear's heart was still pounding from his climax and he gasped out with pleasure when White Deer's fingers wrapped around his throbbing sex. Strong Bear's body quaked and shivered as White Deer's hand moved rapidly up and down on his cock, urging but another climax. "My lover...what are you doing to me?" he asked, his back arched upward as his lover rapidly stroked his heat. Unable to take anymore of his lover's hand, Strong Bear quickly turned, pulled White Deer beneath him, and then with one hard thrust, fully impaled White Deer on his cock. Thrusting deep and fast, Strong Bear pounded his lover's ass, each thrust more frantic and deeper than the last. He grabbed White Deer by the hips, pulled his body closer to his heat and pummeled his cock deeper and harder into his wet, hot sheath. Their eyes locked together in love's gaze; White Deer knew that his Strong Bear's need would soon be satisfied, when he felt that familiar chubbing of his manhood deep inside him. "Ay-uh my lover...give White Deer your seed once again," he gasped as his own need grew rapidly closer. "Ay-uh...ay-uh...shooting," he moaned as he came yet again between their entangled bodies. "Ay-uh so do I," Strong Bear purred and spewed his seed deep into White Deer. Their bodies rocked, shook and slowly eased, as their climaxes came and went, leaving them clinging to one another as their mouths met in love's kiss. "I should return to my father's lodge, it is late and he'll expect me up before the sun to go hunt the buffalo," Strong Bear said. "We'll be gone so long, what shall I do without your love and body to keep me happy?" "It is good to have this time apart, for it will make our love stronger. White Deer will desire me more when once again he lies in my arms." Strong Bear whispered, kissed his lover tenderly, and then rose to dress. "Ay-uh my lover, but still I will miss your body loving mine," White Deer said as his eyes watched Strong Bear dress. "Surely we can slip away and be together," he asked looking at Strong Bear who shook his head no, knowing that with many braves around, and his father, that it would be impossible to find privacy. "Are you not going to dress," Strong Bear asked, looking down at White Deer as he slipped into his moccasins. "It is late and we must go," he said, kneeling down beside White Deer. "Gah-ween my love, I shall wait until the seed which you buried deep inside me is done running from me." Shrugging his shoulders Strong Bear leaned down and kissed his lover goodbye. "Let that hold you until we return from the hunt my love and can once again find the privacy of our love nest to be together," he said and ran off for his father's lodge, oblivious of the eyes that had been watching them. "Wait and see how Chief Hawk feels when his son is taken captive," Chief Broken Arrow, chief of the Sioux tribe that was continually at war with the Choctaw, whispered to his son, Spotted Wolf as they stealthily moved closer to where Strong Bear would cross their path. "But father, why do you not wish to live in peace with the Choctaw, for they have suffered also at the hands of the white pony soldiers." Unlike his father, Spotted Wolf wished for peace between the people of the Sioux and them of the Choctaw, because he loved Strong Bear. "When I am chief, I will seek peace for my people," He whispered to himself as he followed his father. "His grandfather stole my woman, many winters ago that was to be my wife. He came with his bride price two moons before me and stole her away from her father," Broken Arrow grumbled, remembering back to when his tribe lived in Mississippi also. "So why do you not take Chief Hawk, for he was Black Bear's son, not Strong Bear," Spotted Wolf asked. Broken Arrow looked at his son, wondering why that he would counsel his own father, and sensing the anger in him rising. "You do dare to counsel me, your father but more so, your chief?" Broken Arrow asked. "Gah-ween my father," he said and lowered his face. "Come, he is about to enter our trap," he whispered and prepared to jump Strong Bear. "I will now steal from him, the one that he loves," he promised, pure hatred filling his eyes. Strong Bear was exhausted from having made love with White Deer and also because of the hour of the night. Strong Bear wearily walked back to his father's lodge, unaware of the danger about to befall him and jumped when a snapping of a twig alerted him and he turned expecting to see White Deer running up to him. "White Deer hurry, I wish to return before my father returns from his love making with Red Sun," he whispered and suddenly found himself looking down the barrel of Broken Arrow's rifle as he stepped from the shadows and into the softness of the moon's light. "I am not White Deer, although I should have dispensed of him before taking you captive," Broken Arrow said and then struck Strong Bear in the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking the young warrior unconscious. "We must hurry son, before White Deer comes along and see us," Broken Arrow said as he and his son carried Strong Bear away before tying Strong Bear's wrists and ankles together. Several minutes later, White Deer comes sauntering up the path which led from the river to the Choctaw village. Thinking that Strong Bear is already at his father's lodge, he quickly hurried to his own parent's lodge. *** Shane and James swam leisurely in the river; the full moon's light illuminated their naked bodies that swam playfully in the coolness of the water. "I can live here for another hundred years Shane and I don't think that I'll ever get over how it can be so hot and yet lack the moisture in the air that we had back in Mississippi," James said and then ducked beneath the surface. He swam underwater toward Shane; the moon's light was bright enough to illuminate his lover's manhood that bobbed about in the water in front of him. Reaching forward with his hand, he wrapped his fingers snuggly around the softened manhood before he resurfaced. "You keep that up mister and you'll suffer the consequences," Shane moaned as James playfully stroked Shane's manhood to full erection. "That's the..." but his sentence was cut short by the snapping of twigs, alerting them that they were not alone, but that a woman was walking toward the water. Falling beneath the surface, keeping just their head above water only, the two men swam slowly toward the shore, unbeknownst to this woman that was about to step into the water, they were just feet from her. "That's one of them whores from town," Shane whispered, causing James to curiously give him a wondering glance. "How would you know about whores?" James whispered back, his eyes looking at Shane in wonder. "I do go into to town now and then for supplies, she works at the saloon that I grab a drink from now and then," he confided. "And just when were you going to tell me that you drink?" "Now is not the time to be discussing this James," Shane said sternly as they swam sideways, down the river hoping to avoid her. James gave Shane another sharp look, not sure that he even knew him. "Who's there," the woman called out, looking carefully over the water for the person responsible for the splashing that she heard. "It's me Jenny, Shane Mathews," Shane called out, now swimming away from James and over to where she stood. "He even knows her name?" James questioned to himself as he swam after Shane. "Why Shane Mathews, I do declare, were you spying on me," she said flirtatiously as Shane boldly walked naked from the water, his body glistening in the moonlight. "Who's that with you," Jenny asked sharply as she pointed to James, who, like Shane had no shame as he walked naked from the water. "That's just someone I know, James Thornton," Shane replied, keeping his eyes on the naked Jenny. "Just someone you know, huh," James snapped, nodded politely to Jenny and then walked over to where his clothes lay on the ground. James hurriedly slid on his jeans, skipping the rest of his clothes as Shane talked with Jenny and once dressed, mounted on his horse; he gave a hurt look at Shane and rode off, taking Shane's horse and clothes along with him. "Enjoy the long walk back to the ranch...stranger," James sneered sarcastically as he rode away. "James, what's wrong...oh God no, don't take my horse," Shane angrily shouted but James refused to stop. "Don't worry about him Shane, Miss Jenny will show you a good time and then take you home," she said as she dropped to her knees and her hand went to Shane's exposed manhood. "Now is probably not a good time for this," Shane warned, pushing her hand away. "My ass is really cooked now," he thought, his eyes still following James until he passed from sight. James rode silently on; the only sounds that were heard were that of his crying as his heart broke from what he surmised to be Shane's betrayal of their relationship with Jenny. He could see that they were not strangers, because she held a glazed look in her eyes when she looked at Shane. "I'm sorry Shane, why don't I take you home so I can explain it all to James?" "Explain?" Shane asked, not really thinking about her, but his mind was focusing on James. "Our arrangement Shane, or have you completely forgotten about that?" she said bringing Shane's mind back to her. "I didn't forget," he said looking at her. "I wasn't going to tell him yet, but I guess now is probably the time to do it, huh?" "Here, wrap this blanket around you and let Miss Jenny drive ya'll back to your house," she said as she handed Shane a blanket that she had in the buggy. *** Exhausted from their love making, Hawk and Seth walked back to their lodge. When they stepped inside, they were surprised to see that Strong Bear was not there. "Huh, I thought that Strong Bear would be here now and sleeping," Hawk said looking over at the pallet of pelts and blankets that was Strong Bear's bed. "You know our boy, he is probably still out with White Deer," Seth said, as he stripped for bed. "Ay-uh Red Sun, he should be back soon, because he knows tomorrow we go to hunt the buffalo," Hawk said, pulling a naked Seth to him and covering his mouth with his own. "He is much like his father, needing much loving." Finally settling into bed to sleep after another round of love making, Hawk leaned up on his elbow, glancing over at Strong Bear's bed, worried now about him. "I am worried about Strong Bear," Hawk said as he got up and pulled on his breechcloth. "He should have been here by now, Red Sun." "Has it been so long since you were his age that you have forgotten what it's like to be young and in love," Seth asked as he too got up and got dressed. "He and White Deer are probably making love and he'll be back once they are done." "Ay-uh Red Sun, Hawk remembers his youth and also how you captured his heart," Hawk said, giving him a sweet kiss before going to the door. "Then where are you going Hawk?" he asked as got up, pulled his own loincloth on and then they stepped out together into the quiet of the night. "I know where he likes to take his White Deer," Hawk whispered, giving Seth a devilish grin. "Have you been spying on your son when he's making love?" Seth asked, his hands on his hips as his eyes said what his mouth didn't. "Ay-uh," he said sheepishly moving stealthily through the forest. They walked quietly through the woods, their moccasins barely made a noise as they walked to where Strong Bear always took White Deer. "Our son is much like his father when it comes to love making," Hawk proudly whispered as he approached a thicket where the center would hide them from anyone's eyes that should happen along. Hearing no sounds of love making or talking, Hawk stole quietly into the thicket, and when he saw that it was abandoned, he worried even more. "He's not here," Hawk said and then walked determinedly to Jumping Elk's lodge, where White Deer lived. Calling softly to Jumping Elk, Hawk waited until his warrior friend came to the door, pulling open the buffalo hide flap. "Chief Hawk...what is wrong that you would come to my lodge at this hour," Jumping Elk asked as he stepped outside and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Is White Deer here, for I am worried about Strong Bear...he has not returned to my lodge," Hawk said and looked with surprise when White Deer came from the lodge. "Did I hear you say that Strong Bear is missing?" he asked and his eyes showed no sign of having slept yet. "Ay-uh White Deer, my son has not returned to my lodge." "He should have been there, he left a few minutes before I did from...from the river where we had been swimming," he said looking past his father to Hawk. "Gah-ween, he is not there I am worried for my son," Hawk said. "Please show me where you were both...swimming," Hawk demanded, pulling White Deer onward toward the river. "Shall I go with you son," Jumping Elk asked, still standing beside Seth. "No!" both Hawk and White Deer said in unison, knowing that Jumping Elk didn't know of his son's love for Strong Bear. Retracing his steps that he took from the place where he and Strong Bear had made love, White Deer worried also about his lover. Keeping his eyes on the path, aided only by the moon's light, Hawk stopped and grabbed White Deer's arm when he spotted a necklace on the ground. "I made Strong Bear that necklace last year," White Deer said, fear now grabbing his heart as he stared at the bear claw necklace that Hawk held. "Look," Hawk said pointing to the ground. "There was a struggle here, look at how the footprints cross over each other." Hawk's heart sank when he thought about his son having been abducted. His anger grew further when White Deer reached down to the ground and brought up a feather and handed it to Hawk. "Broken Arrow," was all that he said when he examined the feather, noticing that it was not from an eagle, but a hawk, for the Sioux tribe was of the Hawk Band of Sioux. "Strong Bear has been taken to Broken Arrow's village...but why would he do this?" he wondered. "What will they do to Strong Bear," a worried and near tears White Deer asked. "I doubt that they would kill him, but with Broken Arrow, one could never be sure. I remember my father telling me how he had paid his bride price for my mother just before Broken Arrow, and her father had accepted it, knowing how much my mother loved my father." "Could it be for revenge, because you are not your father so why would he steal your son?" "Broken Arrow sought revenge for many years against my father and promised that he'd never rest until his shame was avenged." "I do not understand all this, my chief, but our Great Spirit will protect Strong Bear," White Deer said as they hurried back to the village. *** When James returned to his ranch, he tied the horses to the hitching post, and ran quickly into the house, bolting the door behind him. Rushing to his bed and crying. "I have never given him anything but love, so why is he betraying me," James asked through his tears. Jenny pulled her buggy up in front of the ranch house, and as she looked up and the splendor of the two story building, she marveled at is masculine beauty before turning her attention back to Shane. "Are you sure that you don't want me to come inside and explain things to James. Although I don't understand the kind of love that you two share, who am I to judge you," she said as she looked into Shane's eyes. "I didn't understand it myself when my heart first fell for James, but all that I know is that he's my entire world," Shane said and gave her a soft kiss to her cheek. "Once I get things right with him, we'll come to see you." Hearing the sound of the horse and buggy pulling up outside, James rushed to the window in time to see Shane kiss Jenny goodbye. "Oh my God it's true...you are in love with that whore," he whispered and turned from the window. He walked over to where his gun holster hung on a peg and pulled his revolver from it, looking down the barrel of the gun, his finger on the trigger. *** Hawk, having roused his warriors from their sleep, rode off into the night to Broken Arrow's village. Fearing that if Seth rode with them, the Sioux would think that the white eyes sided with him and it would endanger the white settlers. He and his warriors sat on a bluff that overlooked the village. Although the moon had slipped behind a cloud, hiding him and his warriors from the sight of those in the village, the light from the communal fire was enough to allow Hawk to see. Hawk gasped when his eyes found his son Strong Bear, naked and staked out in the middle of the village. "Strong Bear," he gasped and his anger grew when he saw many Sioux standing around his son, laughing and spitting at him. "They dishonor Strong Bear, a chief's son," Jumping Elk said, his anger also rising within him. "Ay-uh my friend, and now Broken Arrow will die, but it will be a slow and painful death," Hawk promised as he turned his horse and rode away with his warriors following him. White Deer paused a moment longer, his eyes filled with tears as he looked down at his man. Strong Bear, as if knowing that White Deer was near, raised his head looking up, their eyes locked but a moment before White Deer rode away to join the others. Once they reached the forest that sat beside the village, Hawk separated his warriors, giving them instructions. "Jumping Elk, you take your warriors and go to the east side of the village and I. along with White Deer, shall take the west side. When you see me free my son, come rushing in with your warriors and do not spare any," he commanded, his anger overruling his common sense. "Surely you are not going to make all of his village pay for what their chief did?" Jumping Elk asked, knowing that he was treading on thin ice by challenging Hawk's reasoning. "Jumping Elk dares to challenge his chief's wisdom?" Hawk asked. "Ay-uh my chief, but only because your grief is so great," he answered, knowing that Hawk would normally not do this. "I know my chief's grief is great, so is his friend and faithful warrior's, but let us take Broken Arrow captive, punish him and not those that are bound to follow him." Hawk thought long on the words that Jumping Elk said, and he knew that he was correct. But he also knew that once he freed his son and his warriors charged in, a battle would soon rage leaving him no choice but to fight back. "I shall stand guard Grey Hawk," Spotted Wolf said, looking down at the naked Strong Bear. "Ay-uh Spotted Wolf," he said and walked off toward his teepee. Once the warrior was inside his lodge, Spotted Wolf knelt down beside Strong Bear. As their eyes met and locked, Strong Bear could see something that he recognized in the eyes of Sioux warrior...love. "Has Broken Arrow's son come to humiliate Strong Bear also?" "Gah-ween Strong Bear, but I have come to set you free," he whispered. "Free...but why?" Strong Bear was confused, because this was the son of the chief that took his captive, something that he'd never do against his own father, Hawk. "Now is not the time to say why, but to hurry and free you," he further whispered and pulling his knife from its sheath, began cutting the rawhide ties that bound Strong Bear to the stakes. Glancing around often, making sure that no eyes were on him, Spotted Wolf helped Strong Bear up to his feet. "Hurry before someone wakes and sees us," he whispered as they ran off toward the forest with Strong Bear's arm around Spotted Wolf's shoulders. Hurriedly they ran, hoping to put much distance between them and his village. Spotted Wolf helped Strong Bear to run, knowing that he had been weakened from his torture. "You do know that you can never return to your village, Spotted Wolf," Strong Bear said as they approached the river. "Ay-uh, but that is not of importance, only your safety is of the most importance," he said and then stopped; the need to rest was great. "My father will welcome you into our village and among our people," Strong Bear promised as he looked into the young braves eyes, still seeing that this brave loves for him was still there. "Why do you do this for me," Strong Bear asked. "Look in my eyes Strong Bear, for the answer is there," he said, gazing intently into Strong Bear's eyes. "Gah-ween Spotted Wolf, I love another?" he answered. "White Deer, I know that you and he love one another, but surely because I have saved you and thus severing the ties to my father, you could find in your heart to love me?" Strong Bear didn't have time to answer him; Hawk stepped from the shadows, along with White Deer and his warriors. Strong Bear ran to his father and they embraced. "I feared that I had lost you my son," he pulled his son to him, his eyes locking with those of Spotted Wolf. His anger toward Broken Arrow rose yet again in his heart and pushing Strong Bear aside, grabbed the boy and shoved him to the ground. "Gah-ween father, Spotted Wolf saved me," Strong Bear said, placing his own body over Spotted Wolf's, to spare him further of any hurt. "I do not believe you...he is Broken Arrow's son," Hawk said angrily, angry to see his own son protecting an enemy. "Ay-uh my father, he is Broken Arrow's son, but it's also true that he cut the ties that held me captive and led me here." Strong Bear stood up, pulling Spotted Wolf to his feet also and placed him behind him. White Deer looked at how protectively Strong Bear stood between Hawk and this...this Sioux warrior and jealousy rose in his heart. Throwing his leg over the horse's neck, he slid to the ground and walked over to Strong Bear, gazing intently into his eyes. "Step aside Strong Bear, it is not your place to challenge the authority or wisdom of our chief," he adamantly said, glancing past Strong Bear and into Spotted Wolf's eyes. "White Deer, are you not happy that I am safe and that it was this Sioux warrior that made it so?" Strong Bear questioned. "All I see is our enemy's son and he is as guilty as his father. I do not doubt that he may have done this, but I fear that his intentions were to kill you once he had you in the forest." "Gah-ween White Deer how is it that you challenge me when I have never spoken with a forked tongue to you...ever?" Strong Bear knew that it was jealousy which motivated White Deer's actions, but he was not going to allow anything to happen to Spotted Wolf. "Now is not the time or place to speak of these things," Hawk said, pulling White Deer aside and behind him. "We shall take Spotted Wolf back to our village and sit in counsel, deciding what to do." "Only if my father gives his son his word that nothing harmful shall come to Spotted Wolf," Strong Bear said defiantly, his eyes locking with those of Hawk. Hawk's wisdom and decisions had never been challenged before by anyone, so this bore straight to his heart to have his own son challenge him, and to do it in front of his warriors. Hawk lifted his hand and struck Strong Bear across the face, knocking him to the ground, thus showing him that he was still the chief, and not to be challenged. "You may be my son, but I am your chief also," Hawk said looking down at his son. "My word is law, for all my people and most of all for you. Now let us return to our village," Hawk said, grabbing Spotted Wolf and putting on a horse and having Strong Bear climb on behind him. With his arm wrapped securely around Spotted Wolf's waist, Spotted Wolf leaned his bare back, back against the muscled chest of Strong Bear. Hawk rode off followed by his warriors. White Deer kept a safe distance between Hawk, Strong Bear and the warriors. With jealous eyes he rode silently, knowing that once he had the chance, he'd take down this Sioux warrior, thus removing him from Strong Bear's life. Unable to take seeing his lover's arm wrapped so protectively around Spotted Wolf, he kicked his heals into the horse's flanks and rode up and beside Strong Bear. "You were wrong to challenge the authority of your father," White Deer said after moving his horse closer to that of Strong Bear and seeing the pleasure that was in the eyes of Spotted Wolf. "You also shouldn't have let your jealousy speak either," Strong Bear snapped, looking hurt and angry over at White Deer. "You are mine and I protect that which is mine," White Deer boldly said, more for Spotted Wolf to hear than Strong Bear and refusing to back down to Strong Bear. "Ay-uh, but White Deer should have rejoiced to have me back and not accuse him of speaking with a forked tongue in front of many warriors and also his chief." Strong Bear's reprimand caused White Deer to gasp, never before had he ever taken such a tone to him and it hurt him. "Then take that worthless Sioux as your lover, because White Deer cares no longer for you," he snapped and rode off, riding now beside his father, Jumping Elk. "I'm sorry for coming between you and White Deer," Spotted Wolf said, turning his face to look up at Strong Bear. "He speaks out of turn and wrongly to me," he bitterly said. "But did you not do the same to your chief and father?" "Ay-uh, but I spoke out because it was the right thing to do. He speaks out because he fears losing me," he said angrily. "But I..." Shots ringing out interrupted Spotted Wolf and caused Hawk and his warriors to turn, drawing up their weapons to fire against the Sioux that now rode quickly toward them. Dropping from their horses, Hawk and his warriors returned the gunfire. As arrows and bullets flew, many from both sides began to fall. Strong Bear, along with Spotted Wolf, dropped quickly to the ground to seek cover. White Deer saw Strong Bear shove Spotted Wolf behind a tree and lift his rifle, but before he could fire, a bullet entered his body, causing him to fall to the ground. "Gah-ween," White Deer shouted and ran toward where Strong Bear had dropped, but just as he got there, he too caught a bullet in the chest, dropping him to the ground beside Strong Bear. Blood pooled all around them as the battle raged on. To be continued... I am still up in the air as to what I shall do with this story, or rather with Strong Bear, White Deer and Spotted Wolf. I would appreciate your input as to how you think this final chapter, chapter ten, shall go. Please send me your thoughts at: danielrunningwater@yahoo.com Thank you, Daniel